Former Chief Defensive Tackle Dontari Poe Signs For Atlanta Falcons

(Photo : Jason Hanna/Getty) Dontari Poe is expected to greatly fit the Falcon's side along with Grady Jarrett.

Former defensive tackle of Kansas City Chiefs, Dontari Poe, who moved to free-agency is currently recruited by Atlanta Falcons, according to the latest reports. The move can be concluded as an effort to strengthen the defense of the Falcons as the team's defense brought a lot of criticism in the 2016 season. The defense of the team gave up 406 points that stood at 27th in the series.

It was on Thursday, the general manager of the team Thomas Dimitroff announced the signing of 26-year old by describing him as "big guy who pushes the pocket." Dontari joined the professional league as a 2012 draft, and he was picked up by Kansas City Chiefs, where he moved to No.1 in the defensive tackle. His initial years with the Chiefs were very successful and claimed pro bowl spots during the year 2013 and 2014. Altogether, he started 76 games in five seasons and marked 13 sacks.

Last season he completed 27 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and forced fumbles in his 16 game statistics. He also defended three passes. Incidentally, his long history of back injuries didn't allow Dontari to appear in many games during the five-season career. It is reported that the Chiefs were found to be cash-strapped after the re-signing of safety Eric Berry for a six-year contract worth $78-million in February. Now, the current move to the Falcons is considered to be a mutually beneficial deal for both Falcons and Dontari.

Falcons were making a brilliant comeback last year under the head coach Dan Quinn and appeared in Super Bowl LI. The comeback was after a long five year drought and the final was quite astonishing as the champion, Patriots, made a 25-point comeback in the game and clinched the title. It was considered to be one of the biggest in Super Bowl history. Now, Falcons want the defense of the team to be consolidated as it is considered to be one of the favorites in the 2017 season.